Uruguay: Same-Sex Marriage Is Legalizedwww.nytimes.comUruguayan lawmakers voted Wednesday to legalize same-sex marriage, making the South American country the third in the Americas to do so, after Canada and Argentina.

Puerto Rico slowly warms to more gay rights: The governing Popular Democratic Party is pushing a bill through the legislature that would outlaw discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation, a step taken by about half ...

Care Resource's 25th annual AIDS Walk is April 28, 2013, and the organization has announced the walk's grand marshal:

Robert C. Gallo, MD, is the eminent scientist who became world famous in 1984 when he co-discovered HIV as the cause of AIDS. Little was known then of the mysterious disease that was fast becoming the deadliest in medical history. Since, Dr. Gallo has spent much of his career trying to put an end to this raging epidemic and other viral, chronic illnesses.
Though best known for his co-discovery of HIV, Gallo and his team pioneered the development of the HIV blood test, which enabled health care workers for the first time to screen for the AIDS virus - leading to a more rapid diagnosis while simultaneously protecting patients receiving blood transfusions. His research also helped physicians develop HIV therapies to prolong the lives of those infected with the virus. In 1996, his discovery that a natural compound known as chemokines can block HIV and halt the progression of AIDS was hailed by Science magazine as one of that year's most important scientific breakthroughs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- The archbishop of New York says the Roman Catholic Church has to make sure that its defense of marriage is not reduced to an attack on gays.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan says the church hasn't "been too good at that" and could work on being more welcoming to gays and lesbians.
He says the church tries its "darnedest to make sure we're not an anti-anybody."
Dolan made the remarks Sunday on the ABC News program "This Week."
His comments came days after the Supreme Court heard arguments in two same-sex marriage cases.
Dolan says he would tell gay men and lesbians that God loves them and they're entitled to friendship. But he says marriage is a union between a man and a woman "where children can come about naturally."
Dolan made similar comments on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Ricky Martin won't dish tough love to Voice contestantsSydney Morning HeraldSince coming out, do you feel you're a role model to young gay people? It feels like a big responsibility but you ...Right now, we're building a centre on my [hometown] island in Puerto Rico, which is a safe haven to protect children. It's hard work ...and more »

Half the U.S. Senate now supports marriage equality for gays and lesbians.
Two more U.S. senators, Democrat Tom Carper of Delaware and Republican Mark Kirk of Illinois, announced Tuesday they now support gay marriage.
Kirk became the second sitting Republican senator after Rob Portman of Ohio to announce his support. From his Senate blog:

When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others.
Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle.

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today celebrated the announcements by Sens. Tom Carper, Democrat of Delaware, and Mark Kirk, Republican of Illinois, that they support marriage equality. Kirk is the second current Republican Senator to support marriage for gay and lesbian couples and with his announcement, half of the United States Senate supports marriage equality. Both Kirk and Carper represent states where legislatures are currently considering marriage equality bills.
HRC President Chad Griffin issued the following statement:
“Senator Kirk and Senator Carper have shown tremendous leadership in announcing their support for marriage equality. It is a sign of our progress that so many of their colleagues are showing the same political will. Democrat or Republican, there can simply be no excuse for standing on the wrong side of history when it comes to this basic question of justice.”

Here's the AP story about Kirk's decision:Associated Press
CHICAGO -- GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois said Tuesday he supports same-sex marriage, becoming the second sitting Republican senator to make such an announcement in recent weeks.
Kirk, who previously opposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, said in a post on his blog that "same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage."
"Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most," said Kirk, who suffered a stroke in January 2012. "Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back - government has no place in the middle."
Kirk went through months of rehabilitation before returning to work in Washington this January. He said in his blog post that when he went back to the Senate he promised himself he would return "with an open mind and greater respect for others."
Kirk is Illinois' ranking Republican lawmaker. His announcement comes less than three weeks after Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio became the first Republican in the Senate to say he supported gay marriage.
Kirk previously voted to end the policy barring gays from openly serving in the military, known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He's a lead co-sponsor of a bill to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, and has opposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
He also supported Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady after Brady announced his support for same-sex marriage earlier this year. When some members of the state central committee attempted to oust Brady, Kirk said Brady had his full support.

Minor note: its the 2nd country not the 4th in Latin America.
Mexico city NOT MEXICO AS A NATION, approved Gay Marriage. Brazil DID NOT approve Gay Marriage yet (not even partnership) - the supreme court removed a prohibition on it but there is no law.

New York – The Uruguayan Senate passed freedom to marry legislation today allowing same-sex couples to marry, making Uruguay nearly certain to be the 15th nation in the world – and the fourth in Latin America – where gay and lesbian couples can share in the freedom to marry. The bill passed today had been modified slightly since passage by the Chamber of Deputies in December, but those changes are expected to be easily approved by the deputies. President José Mujica has said he intends to sign the bill.
Evan Wolfson, president and founder of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement:
“Freedom to Marry applauds the people of Uruguay and their government for moving forward into a future in which all loving and committed couples can share in the freedom to marry and the meaning and protections marriage brings to families. Uruguay’s vote today to move past civil union to marriage itself, Argentina’s enactment of the freedom to marry in 2010 and the Mexico Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling last month in favor of the freedom to marry -- citing the U.S Supreme Court cases of Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia -- all are inspirations and examples decision-makers here in the United States, including our Supreme Court justices, should swiftly follow to get the U.S. where it needs to be.”
When marriages between same-sex couples begin this summer, Uruguay will join 11 countries that have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide: The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark. Three others have taken judicial and regional steps to allow same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry in parts of the country: Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.

House Of PainHuffington PostRegardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the two big gay marriage cases it heard last week, it's only a matter of time before the institution is legalized. Read the whole story at The New Republic. Contribute to .... Now what was it that Lincoln ...

Daddy Yankee: Im Not Gay!Daily BeastA publicist for Daddy Yankee insisted that the Puerto Rican reggae star is not gay, despite rumors lighting up the Internet on Wednesday. Photos of a man who resembles Daddy Yankee kissing another man showed up online Wednesday, causing many to ...

Daddy Yankee Gay Rumors Denied by Singer's RepE! OnlineDaddy Yankee Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images. Daddy Yankee is looking to shut down the rumor mill that's speculating on his sexuality. It all started when photos surfaced on the Internet of a manresembling the Puerto Rican artist kissing another man.

Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook returns to PBS for a star-studded, three-part third season premiering April 5, 2013. This time America’s most passionate music preservationist explores the enduring popularity of Broadway show tunes, the pas de deux between music and choreography, and the indelible impact radio in its heyday had on the American musical canon. Again the biggest stars in music (and dance, too) journey with him. Offering an intimate look at the performer on stage, behind the scenes, and on the road, Michael Feinstein's American Songbook airs as part of PBS ARTS on Friday nights.Episode 1 of Season 3: Show TunesStars in the Broadway universe don’t shine much brighter than Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole, all of whom appear in this episode about great American musicals. Sondheim reveals the composers he most admires and shows Feinstein some rare home movie footage of the original Broadway production of the classic Follies. Tony Award-winner Ebersole gives a tour de force performance of a showstopper from the stage musical Funny Girl, and Lansbury reflects on her Broadway career, from Mame to Sweeney Todd and Gypsy. (Michael also has a surprise for Angela.) Feinstein discusses his personal relationship with the lyricist Ira Gershwin and performs the classics “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Let Me Entertain You” and “No One Is Alone.”Episode 2 of Season 3: Let’s DanceFred Astaire is Michael Feinstein’s favorite singer—but he also was the favorite singer of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins. Why was this dancer, first-and-foremost, so beloved by the America’s great composers? With that question Feinstein launches into an exploration of the marriage between music and choreography, unearthing rare home movies of Astaire rehearsing on set, and some remarkable memorabilia from that other screen-dance icon, Gene Kelly. Kelly stuns in never-before-seen footage of his Broadway debut in the original Pal Joey. Liza Minnelli struts her stuff in two rare vintage clips—including a duet with Gene Kelly. Feinstein indulges his inner Astaire with private dance lessons, explores the endless popularity of ballroom dance in America and performs the classics “Change Partners”, “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Shall We Dance” and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.”Episode 3 of Season 3: On the Air Today, “American Idol” is the country’s biggest music star-maker, but decades ago, the Golden Age of Radio fulfilled the idol-making role in the U.S. Feinstein traces the phenomenon with archival clips of Bing Crosby, Cab Calloway, Kate Smith and many others. He visits with TV and stage star Rose Marie (best known as “Sally Rogers” on “The Dick Van Dyke Show”) and learns about her career as a highly paid child radio star named “Baby” Rose Marie. On his own NPR program, Feinstein showcases the virtuoso talents of classical superstars, including violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk. Finally, he discovers a lost radio program that featured Rosemary Clooney, and recalls his own memorable duet with her.by Amber Edwards

WASHINGTON -- Two freshman Democratic senators, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, have joined the growing chorus of lawmakers who say they support gay marriage.
In separate statements issued minutes apart, the two senators say their views on the issue have evolved. Donnelly says he reconsidered his opinion after recent Supreme Court arguments and public discussion on the issue.
Heitkamp says she now believes the federal government shouldn't discriminate against "people who want to make lifelong, loving commitments to each other."
Thursday evening, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, also a Democrat, announced his support for gay marriage. That leaves only four Senate Democrats who have not endorsed gay marriage. Republican Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Rob Portman of Ohio have also said they support gay marriage.Click here for updates.

An editorial on same-sex couples attending prom by Shelby Curran, a 16-year-old lesbian junior at David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie:

BY SHELBY CURRAN
To any average teen couple, prom is an exciting yet stressful time: countless hours spent at the mall discovering and matching the perfect attire, extra nights spent babysitting to pay for the prom bus, and calling close friends to see which after-prom party they're planning to attend.

However, prom preparations for a same-sex couple may entail more: late night conversations with parents about safety and what to do if someone tries to ridicule you; research on the success stories of other LGBTQ dates to catalyze confidence and pride; or finding a safe party that will be free of intoxicated teenage boys intrigued by a lesbian couple.
Coming from a tolerant community of friends and family, these concerns were not the first things on my mind after being asked to prom by my significant-other of nearly one year. Like any teenage girl, I was elated to turn the corner onto her street as I had done a million times before, only to find a familiar driveway illuminated by candles reading, "PROM?" I stepped out of my car to see her in formal dress holding a flower. In my eyes, we were nothing more than an "average teenage couple." We would be formal-wear shopping, cash-needing, after-partying couple on prom night, just like the rest of the high school. It wasn't until my mother, although extremely supportive, began worrying about what prom at a public high school might hold in store.
My date's school and friends are extremely accepting, and I am confident that we will not have any issues on prom night. However, it is important to be aware and proactive. On prom night, I will saunter in with confidence in who I am. I will surround myself with loyal friends and stay away from those who stare.
My previous experiences and writings have fostered the idea of being original and living out loud. My "prom experience" up to date has offered me another piece of advice to same-sex couples who may be attending proms around the globe: live out loud in this changing world, yet know when it's smart to avoid "stirring the pot."
Although the chances of my prom night being ruined by bullies may be slim, it still remains uncharted territory. So to all of my fellow LGBTQ high schoolers, remember to focus on what matters on your prom night: a good time, regardless of what others may think. Everyone deserves their much anticipated perfect prom night - even a date who may be the only same-sex couple on the dance floor.

We Want Daddy Yankee!FenuxeThe rumor mill hit a fever pitch on Wednesday when a dubious photo surfaced that allegedly shows him kissing another man. From the picture circulating the Internet it is quite difficult to tell whether or not it is actually Daddy Yankee in the photo ...

Last October Orlando Cruz became the first boxer to come out as gay while still active professionally stating, “I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” So what ...

“I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” During his most recent match on March 15th, Cruz won by Technical Knockout against Aalan Martinez in the sixth ...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- The 27-year-old son of popular evangelical Pastor Rick Warren has committed suicide at his Southern California home, Warren's church said in a statement on Saturday.
Matthew Warren struggled with mental illness, deep depression and suicidal thoughts throughout his life. Saddleback Valley Community Church spokeswoman Kristin Cole said he died Friday night.
"Despite the best health care available, this was an illness that was never fully controlled and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life," the church statement said.
Rick Warren, the author of the multimillion-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life," said in an email to church staff that he and his wife had enjoyed a fun Friday evening with their son. But their son then returned home to take his life in "a momentary wave of despair."Click here to read more.

Kwadukuza, April 7 - The small town of KwaDukuza was set abuzz this weekend as a young couple said "I do". What was unusual about the ceremony was that it was the area's 'First Traditional African Gay Wedding'.

Gay health body ACON has issued a travel health warning for gay men travelling to New York City following an extended outbreak of meningococcal meningitis disease in the city. ACON issued the travel warning based on advice from the Australian Society of HIV Medicine. Twenty-two cases of ... in Launceston have prompted Tasmanian gay... Posted 17hours ago. Ricky Martin debuts on The Voice. Puerto Rican pop powerhouse Ricky Martin made his debut last.

AMSTERDAM -- Rainbow flags are flying at half-mast around Amsterdam ahead of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Netherlands Monday, as gay rights groups gear up to protest Russia's pending anti-gay legislation.
In January, Russian lawmakers gave tentative approval to a bill that makes public events and dissemination of information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to minors punishable by fines of up to $16,000. It still requires final approval by parliament and would have to be signed by Putin to become law.
Putin's visit is aimed at showcasing growing economic ties between the two countries. With $83 billion in bilateral trade last year, the Netherlands outpaced Germany to become Russia's No. 1 trading partner in Europe and its second biggest partner in the world after China.

Sad news: Annette Funicello, best known as a Disney Mouseketeer in the 1950s and as a star in the beach blanket movies movies of the 1960s, died Monday.
Annette had suffered for decades with multiple sclerosis. She was 70.
The announcement was made by a Disney fan club on Twitter.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, who announced his retirement last month, has reversed his position on gay marriage, saying Monday that he supports the legalization of same-sex unions.
The 66-year-old Democrat has said for years that he doesn't support gay marriage, and he voted for the 1996 federal law that defined marriage as the union of a man and woman and provided that a state did not have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.
"After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation," Johnson said in a written statement. "This position doesn't require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can marry whom."
His announcement leaves three Senate Democrats who have not come out in support of federal efforts to legalize gay marriage: Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Landrieu and Pryor are up for re-election next year in their Republican-leaning states.

Mingle and network with Chamber members, guests and the community at large. Shore Club Hotel (back pool area) @ 1901 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Complimentary nibbles. Cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka. Cash bar for all other. Drawing for great prizes including restaurant & retail gift certificates, Lucky Strike Lanes Bowling Party, Pride event passes, and a chance to ride in the Chamber float on the Pride Parade! Leverage of the "Business Cards Bulletin Board" and members of the "Membership Committee" who will be present to answer inquiries and make introductions / connections. Photography by Juan Saco Mironoff of Miami-Gay-Blog.com. Audio Visual equipment by “Projectors on the Go”. Admission: $5 (Chamber members) / $15 (others). Portion of the proceeds to benefit Miami Beach Gay Pride. Reduced valet parking. Visit www.gaybizmiami.com for more details and to pre-register. Inquiries at 305-673-4440 or rsvp@gaybizmiami.com

Miami Beach Gay Pride runs through Sunday, April 14, 2013, with a noon parade along Ocean Drive and a free performance by singer Adam Lambert in the evening.

http://www.euronews.com/ Thousands of people in Amsterdam turned out to demonstrate against a proposed anti-gay propaganda law in Russia, as President Vladimir Putin visited the Dutch capital on Monday.Click here for more.

BY JIM VERTUNO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN, Texas -- Parents of gay teens urged Texas lawmakers on Tuesday to give their children the same legal protection as heterosexuals when it comes to prosecuting sex crimes - pleas that helped push a key Senate committee to cast a vote bucking the state's long history of opposing the expansion of gay rights.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted to change Texas' "Romeo and Juliet" law that protects some heterosexual teens from being prosecuted for sex crimes and apply it to gay teens as well.
Texas laws governing crimes of indecency with a child cover sexual contact with minors under the age of 17. The "Romeo and Juliet" provision sets up a legal defense if the couple is older than 14, in a consensual relationship and within three years of each other.
But since 1981, the law only has applied to couples of the opposite sex, a distinction gay rights groups say is discriminatory and wrongly criminalizes homosexuals.Click here to read more.

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com
About 80,000 revelers are expected at this year’s fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride festival, says Babak Movahedi, board chairman of the pride committee and owner of Mova lounge off Lincoln Road.
“To my great surprise, the newborn that was created five years ago has become a teenager,” says Movahedi, who has chaired four of the first five festivals. “People are coming in from all over the world and all over the county. The fact that it is Miami Beach and an amazing place to be will help. ... It helps that we are a completely free event the day of the parade. The entire community comes to enjoy whether they are LGBT or not.”
Among this weekend’s most popular free events:Lincoln Road block party
Annual pride block party outside Movahedi’s bar, 1625 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. This year’s event features DJs Kidd Madonny Bryan Zero, a performance by drag diva Erika Norell and an Andrew Christian fashion show. 8 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday.Lummus Park beach party
Beach Party at Lummus Park, 12 Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. DJs Theresa and Manny Lehman. 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday.High heel race
Azucar High Heel Race, on Ocean Drive from 9th to 12th streets. Runners and participants must register by calling 305-316-4971 and arrive at 9th Street by 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Race begins 11:30 a.m.Gay pride parade
Fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade along Ocean Drive from Fifth to 12 streets. This year’s grand marshal: outgoing Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, in that office since 2007.
“This is the last year she will be mayor,” Movahedi says. “She was instrumental — she gave me the go ahead to start pride. It is time to say thank you and that is why she is grand marshal.” Noon to 1 p.m. Sunday. Free.Adam Lambert performs
A pride street festival continues through 6 p.m. Entertainment, including singer Adam Lambert at 8 p.m., runs through 11 p.m. at the main stage on Ocean Drive between 11th and 12th streets. There is no VIP seating. “You can hear the music,” says Movahedi, “but you’ll have to be there early to be in the front lines.”

Grammy-nominated singer Adam Lambert just returned from a tour of Russia, where lawmakers have recently cracked down on gay-rights activists.
“In St. Petersburg, we had a little bit of a threat. There was some group or person who said they were going to hurt someone. It had to do with being out or gay. It was a little bit tense, but the audience was amazing,” said Lambert, perhaps the first pop musician to reach superstardom after he came out of the closet.
“It really makes you appreciate our freedoms and liberties in the USA,” said Lambert, who on Sunday is set to headline closing night of the fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pridefestival.
Lambert, who became world famous in 2009 as runner-up to Kris Allen on American Idol, promises to sing live in a free performance 8 p.m. at Ocean Drive and 12th Street.
“A handful of songs that are really fun, upbeat. Songs the LGBT community can relate to,” he says. “I have all kinds of fans and it will be cool to bring everyone together under this pride umbrella.”
The singer is coming to South Florida with an entourage of 17, including four band members, two backup singers and two dancers. He won’t be with Sauli Koskinen, his Finnish boyfriend of three years.
The couple — who were once detained after a brawl in a Helsinki bar — broke up this month, blaming their conflicting work schedules.
“It sounds very cliché, but we really are very close friends,” Lambert says.
Lambert grew up in San Diego, first performing in musical theater, then with a band and writing his own music.
“I fell in love with the idea of being an artist. That’s when I decided to audition for Idol,” he says.
Being on Idol also brings baggage. Some call it a “big karaoke show,” Lambert acknowledges.
“I have an international career because of this,” he says, “but in the music industry there’s a little bit of a stigma.”
Lambert, who recorded several songs from his most recent album, Trespassing, at Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s Miami studio, says he’s looking forward to headlining Miami Beach Gay Pride.
“I’m 150 percent proud of being gay. That’s who I’ve been since I’m 18,” said Lambert, 31, who describes himself as “an open book.”
The “Glam Nation” star says he couldn’t live in the closet.
“It’s a sacrifice of your own happiness. I don’t think anything is worth that,” Lambert says, adding that he is used to getting advice about his public persona.
“I have people around me who really love me and say ‘Hey, that’s too gay,’” he says. “And I have others who say ‘It’s not gay enough.’”
Lambert says it’s often a balancing act being a mainstream performer and also a gay activist.
“I try not to harp on it or get too preachy. I like to bring things up. I like to make people think or try to understand,” he says. “I have some songs in my repertoire that are geared to gay equality issues, but they’re also human issues. Somebody asked me whether it was appropriate for me to bring up ‘the gay lifestyle’ in a family show. And I said I’m not necessarily just promoting ‘the gay lifestyle.’ It’s a lifestyle of love, connection and freedom — and fashion. A lifestyle of being who you want to be. It’s everybody. Gay, straight and everything in between.”

Mexican Band Mana's Fher Olvera Declares Support For Gay MarriageHuffington PostCharles Rice-Gonzalez, born in Puerto Rico, is a writer and LGBT activist. He published his first novel, "Chulito," in October. Set in the Bronx, where Rice-Gonzalez grew up, "Chulito" (cutie) is a coming out story about a young Latino who grows up in ...

‘LGBT people are immigrants and immigration is an LGBT issue’WASHINGTON, April 10 — Today national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organizations join local, state and national immigration, civil rights and LGBT groups and advocates marching for justice for all immigrants on National Immigration Day of Action.
Standing in solidarity with the immigration movement in calling on Congress to do the right thing and pass fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform are the 26 undersigned groups, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; GLAAD; the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR); the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project (QUIP), a project of the United We Dream Network; National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA); and Immigration Equality.
“LGBT people are immigrants and immigration is an LGBT issue,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who spoke from the stage on the West Lawn of the Capitol representing a broad range of allied organizations at the march.
The groups also call on media to tell the stories of undocumented people that shed light on the many ways the broken immigration system harms millions of Americans, including through family separation and inhumane conditions and abuse in detention facilities.
“Federal immigration reform is about respecting the humanity in each and all of us, including DREAMers and our families, migrant farm workers, LGBT binational couples, and transgender people in need of asylum,” said Jorge Gutierrez, project coordinator of the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project (QUIP), a project of the United We Dream Network. Gutierrez is openly gay and undocumented.
“As a transgender woman who was detained by immigration authorities, I have first-hand experience with the inhumane treatment and abuse in detention facilities that for years have threatened the health, safety and even lives of millions of immigrants,” said Bamby Salcedo, president of the Trans-Latin@ Coalition. "I was sexually assaulted when I was forced to be housed in a dorm with about 100 men in a detention facility, and I was denied adequate access to HIV medication and hormone treatment. These are the harms countless transgender detainees face; we must put an end to these atrocities. We all deserve a chance to live with dignity, to pursue our dreams, and to work for a better future and better quality of life.”
“The current broken system hurts, scapegoats and vilifies all immigrants, including LGBT immigrants, and their friends and families. Comprehensive federal immigration reform is an urgent priority for our nation and the LGBT community,” said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
“It is important for the LGBT and immigrants’ rights communities to work together and support one another. We're all working to be treated equally and to be able to enjoy lives free of discrimination and fear, for ourselves and our families. We've seen the success of unity in places like Maryland, Colorado and Washington. In all of these places, our two communities prevented our opponents from pitting us against each other. We cannot stop now,” said Dave Montez, chief of staff of GLAAD, a member of the coalition.
Immigration Equality Executive Director Rachel B. Tiven said, “Immigration Equality helps thousands of LGBT immigrant families every year: undocumented families, mixed-status families, DREAMers, asylum seekers fleeing persecution, and detainees locked in immigration jail. LGBT people demand reform of a system in which our families are invisible. In the words of binational couple activist Pablo Garcia: ‘I want a path to citizenship. But I don’t want to wait 13 years to be a citizen. If I were straight I would be one already.’”
“At stake in the comprehensive immigration reform debate is our ability to keep our families together and to recognize the diversity of all our families. LGBT people are challenged across the entire spectrum of the broken immigration system and comprehensive reform is needed now," said Ben de Guzman, co-director, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA).
For more stories of undocumented people, please contact any of the media contacts listed above.National LGBT Organizations in Support of National Immigration Day of Action:
American Civil Liberties UnionCenter For Black EquityCenterLink: The Community of LGBT CentersFreedom to MarryGay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)GetEQUALGLAADGLADGLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)Human Rights Campaign (HRC)Immigration EqualityLambda LegalNational Black Justice CoalitionNational Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)National Center for Transgender EqualityNational Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)National Gay and Lesbian Task ForceNational Minority AIDS CouncilNational Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)Out & Equal Workplace AdvocatesPFLAG NationalPride at Work AFL CIOQueer Undocumented Immigrant Project (QUIP), a project of the United We Dream NetworkServices and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)The Trevor ProjectTrans-Latin@ CoalitionTo learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.organd follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Uruguayan lawmakers voted Wednesday to legalize gay marriage, making the South American country the third in the Americas to do so.
Supporters of the law, who had filled the public seats in the legislative building, erupted in celebration when the results were announced. The bill received the backing of 71 of the 92 members of the Chamber of Deputies present.
"We are living a historic moment," said Federico Grana, a leader of the Black Sheep Collective, a gay rights group that drafted the proposal. "In terms of the steps needed, we calculate that the first gay couples should be getting married 90 days after the promulgation of the law, or in the middle of July."
The "marriage equality project," as it is called, was already approved by ample majorities in both legislative houses, but senators made some changes that required a final vote by the deputies. Among them: Gay and lesbian foreigners will now be allowed to come to Uruguay to marry, just as heterosexual couples can, said Michelle Suarez of the Black Sheep Collective.
President Jose Mujica, whose governing Broad Front majority backed the law, is expected to put it into effect within 10 days.Click here to read more.

PARIS -- The shocking photo of a homophobic attack victim in Paris that went viral on social media this week and caused the French interior minister to weigh in was used as an emblem in a pro-gay rally Wednesday evening.
The image of Wilfred de Bruijn's cut and bruised face was brandished by gay groups during a demonstration of several thousand people as evidence of their claim that homophobic acts have tripled nationwide over opposition to a law legalizing gay marriage.
This week, the French senate will conclude its debate on a law legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption, which is expected to pass. It's been a rocky run since it was unveiled last November by President Francois Hollande's Socialists and split the majority-Catholic country.
But whichever way the Senate votes, the image of De Bruijn's battered face has made for a symbolic end to five months of bitterly divisive protests.Click here to read more.

The Supreme Court in 2003 ruled that a Texas state law criminalizing gay sex was unconstitutional, thereby striking down some 14 active anti-sodomy laws on the books in other states and Puerto Rico. "As a matter of law, ...

New York – With the Republican National Committee beginning its spring meeting today, Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry released a letter denouncing a draft resolution on excluding same-sex couples from marriage. The letter urges party leaders to dismiss the resolution and move toward inclusion of gay and lesbian Americans.The full letter can be viewed here. A key portion reads:
“As young conservatives, we call on the members of the Republican National Committee to dismiss this resolution out of hand and save the Party from further marginalization. Instead, we should look to the leadership of elected leaders like Senators Portman and Kirk and Representatives Ros-Lehtinen and Hanna who are already leading the way to a stronger and more consistent conservative movement.”
A variety of Young Conservatives leadership committee members are signers on the letter:

S.E. Cupp

Matt David

Tyler Deaton

Margaret Hoover

Abby Huntsman

Sarah Longwell

Ed Lopez

Liz Mair

Meghan McCain

Marco Nunez

The letter points to the growing support for the freedom to marry, with a recent ABC poll finding that 52% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents under the age of 50 in support. It asks the party to follow the recommendation of its "Growth and Opportunity Project" report, issued last month, and move forward with positions more inclusive of gay Americans.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HELENA, Mont. -- The woman who led the court battle to strike down a Montana law that made gay sex illegal knows that having the unconstitutional law struck from the books is a symbolic act.
All the same, Linda Gryczan began to cry when the state House finally brought the issue to the floor on Monday.
"I was actually surprised. Knowing it's a symbolic victory, I didn't realize how important it was going to be until it was there," Gryczan told the Great Falls Tribune ( http://gftrib.com/17qIski) in a story published Wednesday.
Senate Bill 107, the measure that strikes from the state code the obsolete language criminalizing gay sex as deviate sexual conduct, passed its final legislative hurdle Wednesday with a 65-34 vote in the House.
The Senate approved the bill earlier in the session, but it took the vote of more than 60 representatives to remove the measure from the House committee where it was stuck to hold floor votes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. The governor's office declined to say Wednesday whether Bullock plans to sign the bill.Click here to read more.

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Gay rights in Puerto RicoLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons in Puerto Rico face some legal issues. Public discussion and debate about sexual orientation and gender identity issues have increased, and some legal changes have been made. Currently, both supporters and opponents of legislation protecting the rights of...

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